2. Nesting**: Before mating, pelicans build their nests in colonies on the ground or on trees. They use sticks, grass, and other materials to construct a sturdy nest that is large enough to accommodate their chicks.
3. Courtship: The mating process begins with courtship rituals. Male pelicans perform elaborate displays to attract females. These displays may include spreading their wings, bowing, and vocalizations.
4. Mating: Once a pair has bonded, mating takes place. Pelicans mate in a monogamous relationship, meaning they stay together for multiple breeding seasons. The male pelican mounts the female, and they clasp their bills together. The male then transfers his sperm to the female's cloaca.
5. Eggs and incubation: After mating, the female lays her eggs in the nest. The number of eggs varies depending on the species of pelican, but most species lay between one and three eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, keeping them warm and protected until they hatch. The incubation period varies from 28 to 42 days.
6. Chicks: When the eggs hatch, the chicks are born naked and helpless. They rely on their parents for food and protection. The parents feed the chicks by regurgitating partially digested fish into their mouths. The chicks grow quickly, and they fledge (leave the nest) after about 2 to 3 months.